England interim manager Lee Carsley and captain Harry Kane preview the England match against Finland tomorrow, Harry Kane's 100th cap and Sven-Goran Eriksson's tribute.
09/09/2024
Tottenham Hotspurs Training Ground, London, UK
09/09/2024
Tottenham Hotspurs Training Ground, London, UK
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Tottenham Hotspur's training ground for this media conference ahead of tomorrow's UEFA Nations League fixture with Finland at Wembley.
00:08Joined by Lee Cards and also Harry Kane who as you know is set to win his 100th cap tomorrow night.
00:13Housekeeping, the usual maximum three questions per person during the first round and if we do have time we'll come back to you.
00:19Rob, do you want to get us underway?
00:21Good to see you Lee, if you don't mind we'll change the normal format a little bit and start with the man on your left because it's a heck of an achievement.
00:28Harry, congratulations.
00:30Look, I know the statistics matter to you and I know how aware you are of the history of all of this.
00:35Just how special a landmark is it?
00:37No, it's really special. Like I always say, I think sometimes it's hard to really sink in whilst you're still playing and whilst these moments come.
00:46I spoke about that previously with some of the goalscoring records but this is one I'm extremely proud of.
00:52I think it shows great consistency over a long period of time.
00:56I think when you look at some of the other players who have achieved it, some of our greatest ever players.
01:02Something I'm really excited for. I have my family there to enjoy the moment as well.
01:10I think for sure a moment when I'm retired that I'll probably look back on with immense pride.
01:16I'm excited. I'm excited for the game. I'm excited to be back at Wembley.
01:19I just hope it can be a special night all round with a win and hopefully a goal as well.
01:24How many more caps can you win? How many more goals do you want to score?
01:29Do you set yourself targets like that? I know you have done in the past. Have you set one after this?
01:34I feel in really good shape. I feel both physically and mentally at a peak in my career.
01:41Just watching other players like Ronaldo score his 901st goal yesterday and seeing him compete at 38 or 39 years old.
01:50It just inspires me to play for as long as possible. I love this game. I love representing England more than anything.
01:57I don't want it to end any time soon. For me personally now it's just about continuing to improve and be consistent.
02:08Both in an England shirt and at club level. That's what I'd always do.
02:12Who knows how many caps I can get or how many goals I can get but I'm hungry for more.
02:18I'm determined to keep pushing the boundaries.
02:21I've got to ask you about the man on your left because it's an extraordinary achievement.
02:25Anyone who has ambitions to manage England knows just how important he is.
02:29They have his backing and his ability and his goalscoring on the pitch as well.
02:34Yes, definitely. I've only worked with him for seven days but straight away you can see how motivated he is,
02:41how committed he is and how much of a good example he is around the players.
02:47Every single session he's the first out and to have that kind of example for the younger players coming through
02:54is testament to him and his motivation.
02:58We spoke on the phone when I was confirmed for the job and you could tell straight away how motivated he was
03:04to win a major tournament with England, which is brilliant for whoever comes in.
03:12It'll be your first time leading the England senior side out at Wembley tomorrow.
03:17How much of a special moment will that be and is it something you've thought about?
03:20It's not something I've thought about until recently.
03:24I think it was a really proud moment the other day to be on the sideline
03:29and another great night hopefully for the players on Tuesday night.
03:35Really looking forward to the game.
03:37We've had another couple of good sessions in between the last match so I'm excited by it.
03:43We'll make two or three changes, freshen the team up a little bit.
03:47But what I've noticed with this group is how motivated they are to do well.
03:53You should really look forward to playing at home, especially at Wembley,
03:57on a pitch like that in a venue like that.
03:59Looking forward to the game.
04:01How do you balance the expectation of England to win the match tomorrow
04:06versus maybe making those changes to keep things fresh?
04:10That is the balance.
04:12I think if you make 11 changes it maybe sends out the wrong signal.
04:16But the good thing about this group is that they are highly motivated to do well.
04:21So there will be two or three changes, but I don't see wholesale changes.
04:26But it's important that we do manage the minutes.
04:29Some of the players are still in that pre-season phase,
04:32basically against the amount of time they had off in the summer.
04:36So we have to make sure that we're protecting them as well.
04:40And a question for Harry. Congratulations on the 100th cap for tomorrow.
04:44I know he sat next to you and he said it's only been seven days,
04:47but how has it been working with Leo this past week?
04:50It's been really good.
04:52It's brought a new energy into the place,
04:55especially after the disappointing end to the summer.
04:58It's been great to work with the boss so far,
05:01and he's brought his ideas and his freedom in how he wants us to play.
05:06I think the lads have enjoyed it.
05:09We've got a good mixture of experience and youth in the team,
05:12and you're seeing the excited faces of some of the new players.
05:17We're looking forward to another game tomorrow night.
05:20I thought we had a really good game against Ireland a couple of days ago.
05:24It was a game that could have easily been a tricky one,
05:27but to be as comfortable as we were I think shows a good setting stone.
05:33And now going into tomorrow's game at home,
05:36we're really excited to go out there and express ourselves
05:39and hopefully get another win.
05:42OK, we've got Henry next, but Alex, if you can pass the mic back.
05:46Hi, Harry. Congratulations.
05:49Quick question for Leigh. First, good luck tomorrow.
05:51Just on the traditional, inverted commas, number nine,
05:55you talk to people at academies and the coaches
05:57and they say they're not really coming through.
05:59Is that because everyone wants to be a number 10, they want to play wide?
06:02I think just the role in general has changed,
06:06especially the number nines that I was brought up with and played with.
06:11I think the EPPP and the academy system
06:13has really helped develop all-round footballers
06:16who then play in positions rather than developing a number nine.
06:20You see players that I'd say the majority of full-backs now were wingers.
06:27Centre-backs now are more than capable of playing centre midfield
06:30just because of their attributes and the amount of contact time that academies have.
06:34I think from our point of view, from a coach's point of view,
06:38I think we have to be a lot more open and receptive to players' profile
06:42and their capabilities rather than their positions.
06:46Leigh, congratulations on 2-0 against Ireland.
06:48A great start as the New England interim manager.
06:51Your decision of bringing in Jack Grellish into the squad has paid off quickly.
06:55He scored a goal against Ireland already.
06:57What are some other changes that you are going to be implementing
07:00to hopefully secure success against Finland?
07:04We have to be mindful that we've had six sessions now in total.
07:09There's one or two things that we've adjusted and tried to implement.
07:15I think we spoke about this a while back in the first press conference
07:19that there were a lot of good things happening already.
07:22We've just tried to make a few adjustments as opposed to wholesale changes.
07:26The most positive thing about it is that the players are open to trying something different
07:30or maybe being a bit more risky in certain areas.
07:33Hopefully, we can continue that.
07:36We've got total belief that they can do it.
07:38We try not to ask players to do anything that we don't think they're capable of
07:41and put them in a position where they're going to fail.
07:43Hopefully, we can show people on Tuesday again that we're moving forward.
07:48From tactics to mindset, what have you learned from leading the under-21s
07:52to championships that you're going to be implementing into the senior team?
07:56I think there's definitely a lot of similarities.
07:59Regardless of tactics or game plans, from a mentality point of view,
08:04players have to know that you believe in them, that you care for them,
08:07that you want them to do well, that you're supporting them.
08:10Ultimately, I think if you can create that environment,
08:12hopefully you're going to see performances.
08:15That's what we're trying to do.
08:17In your first press conference for England, you said,
08:20really confident in the job that I can do.
08:22You've made a strong impression.
08:24If you get another win against Finland and you are granted the opportunity,
08:29would you like to stay on as England's manager?
08:31I think it's been quite clear that I'm doing the three camps.
08:35I'm really, really happy with that.
08:38If it changes, also I'm happy with that.
08:40I'm very privileged in the position that I'm in
08:42in terms of the head coach for the under-21s.
08:45I've enjoyed it so far.
08:47I'm having to focus really 100 per cent every day
08:51on just doing a good job on that day rather than looking too far ahead.
08:54The most important thing is the team as opposed to the coaches.
08:59They should be the ones that are in the spotlight and getting the attention.
09:03Thanks.
09:04Hi, Lee.
09:05Just looking at the pathway that the FA brought in,
09:08not just for players like Harry,
09:10because I'll ask you in a second about your experiences for the pathway,
09:13but as a coach, how has it benefited the team,
09:16having the lads coming through the same pathway,
09:18having the same similar experiences?
09:20How has that benefited you as well personally as a coach?
09:23I think it's had a lot of benefits.
09:25We talk about the DNA, which is obviously the way that we want to play
09:31and the way that we want to coach,
09:33but the jobs that the academies are doing as well makes our job a lot easier.
09:38The players are coming in at such a high level
09:40and the competitions for places to get into squads and stay in squads,
09:45that's where you can see that players are moving through the pathway quite smoothly.
09:49So, when you lose a player that goes up to a higher age group,
09:53the next one comes in and it's almost a seamless transition.
09:56A big thing about the DNA as well is the England experience.
10:01We spoke about it before in terms of 80-odd percent of our players are drawn nationality,
10:06so they have options.
10:07It's not just England that they can play for.
10:09So, when a player comes into St George's,
10:12having that first experience in an England shirt,
10:14that you enjoy the experience, that you feel rated, you feel cared for,
10:18is just as important as the sessions that the coaches put on.
10:22Harry, obviously 100 caps, congratulations,
10:25but can you think back to when you started your pathway?
10:29Under-17s, I think it was, when you first started?
10:31Yeah, under-17s.
10:33I played under-17s, under-19s, under-20s, under-21s,
10:37and they were great learning curves for me.
10:40I had some great coaches and I think just playing with the best players in the country
10:44helped me develop at that age to improve and see where the level was at,
10:48because when I was starting out, I wasn't going to be the next big thing.
10:52I had to work extremely hard to be consistent and improve,
10:55and I think England helped me see that just by being around some of the best players.
11:01I think you're seeing more and more our younger teams have success,
11:06and I think that's definitely helping the senior team,
11:08because as they're coming in, they're pushing us,
11:10they're making the competition stronger,
11:12they're having good experiences even at youth-level tournaments,
11:15but that helps them coming into major tournaments with the senior team as well.
11:19The future is definitely bright for us,
11:22and I think there's a lot of exciting players on the horizon,
11:25and the way we're performing as a senior team is just pushing everyone to be even better.
11:31Kerry?
11:32Just to check with you, Lee, have you got a fully fit squad, everyone available to you?
11:36Yeah, no changes to that, so we're in a good position.
11:39Do you think it's a good chance maybe for the likes of Gibbs, White, Gomez, Noni
11:42to come into the side and with John Stone's feature?
11:45I think they've all got a chance of playing.
11:48I think the level that the players have trained at
11:51puts everyone in the chance of getting minutes or starting the game,
11:56so we've been very fortunate this week that, having lost the three lads quite early,
12:02we were lucky to keep everyone else fit and ready for action.
12:07And also, looking to this encounter,
12:09what are the key markers that you want to tick off on this one,
12:12coming into Wembley, to a home game?
12:15You've already seen what your players can do in an intense environment,
12:19but what do you want to see next?
12:21I still want us to see us playing with that control.
12:24I think it's important that we're exciting to watch.
12:27I think when fans come and watch England play at home,
12:30they expect attacking football,
12:32they expect chances to be created and to play with the tempo,
12:36and us being on the ball.
12:38So, yes, I wouldn't see that being any different tomorrow.
12:41And Harry, on the front foot from the off in that opening match,
12:44what's the mood in the dressing room,
12:46coming into such a hostile environment
12:48and putting behind the Euros to come away with a win?
12:52Yes, I think the mood's good.
12:54Like I touched on earlier, I think the performance is really good.
12:56And also, to win 2-0 away from home and not concede hardly any chances
13:01shows that it was a really top performance.
13:04In some areas, especially in the second half,
13:06where we know we could have controlled it a little bit better
13:08and had larger spells of dominance,
13:11but overall I think it was as good an away performance as you can ask for,
13:15especially coming off the back of a tough summer.
13:18Now everyone's excited to be back at home in front of our fans
13:22and hopefully just put on a great performance.
13:25We want to score goals, we want to create a load of chances
13:29and play a real attacking style.
13:33We can only do that as players when we're on the pitch tomorrow.
13:38Hi both, good luck tomorrow.
13:40Harry, firstly, you talked a few times about Ronaldo
13:44and being inspired by him.
13:46Do you have a personal relationship with him?
13:48Do you know him at all?
13:50No, I've met him a couple of times just at different events and stuff.
13:53But he was someone, him and both Messi,
13:57were people I looked up to growing up.
13:59They were in their prime as I was coming into teenage years.
14:03Probably when I was coming into football,
14:06where I really wanted to improve and get better,
14:08not just where I love football,
14:10it was where I actually thought, OK, where can I improve?
14:12So I think both of them were inspirations to me.
14:14But I just think to have that hunger and desire
14:18and to have that determination,
14:20almost a sense to keep proving people wrong
14:23and proving to yourself that you can be the best you can be
14:27and then whenever the day comes that you stop playing,
14:29you can be proud of what you're doing.
14:31I try and use different players to motivate me,
14:36especially players who are older than me.
14:38Like I touched on, to score over 900 goals in your career
14:43is an exceptional record.
14:45To play until the age he is is really inspiring.
14:50I think that just helps me and motivates me
14:53to know that I've got many more years ahead at the highest level.
14:56A lot of players, when they get older, they drop deeper.
14:59But the fact that he's still playing as a nine at his age,
15:02is that particularly inspiring to you?
15:04Yeah, I think it depends on circumstance.
15:06I think it depends on managers and different systems
15:08and where you find yourself.
15:10I think as a player, personally,
15:11I've always been someone who can play high or drop deep.
15:14I feel like I've got enough all-round game
15:18to be effective in both areas.
15:20I think a lot of that depends on the manager you're playing under
15:25and the personnel you're playing with.
15:27But for me personally, it's just about being better.
15:31With Bayern, with the new coach now,
15:34a lot of high-intensity pressing,
15:36a lot of high-pressure situations,
15:40without the ball especially, which is helping me improve.
15:44And it's similar here with England.
15:46It's all about intensity.
15:47I feel like football in general
15:49is just becoming more and more that type of style,
15:52where you've got a lot of man-for-man pressure
15:54and a lot of one-on-one battles on the pitch.
15:57It's something that you have to be able to cope with
16:00because it's probably only going to get more physical
16:03and more tough as the years go on.
16:06Lee, you played some really good stuff against Ireland.
16:09Obviously, there was a conversation around the negativity of the team
16:13and maybe they were a bit too conservative before you took over.
16:16Do you feel a sense of responsibility to entertain?
16:19Is that part of your job?
16:22No, I don't think so, no.
16:24I think I like watching attacking football.
16:28I like coaching it.
16:30I think I made a decision when I started coaching.
16:32That's how I wanted my teams to play,
16:35try and outscore the opposition,
16:37regardless of the state of the game.
16:40I think, obviously, it's entertainment as well,
16:43so you want to create as many chances as you can
16:46and be in possession of the ball.
16:48That's what I see as a responsibility,
16:51making sure that you're not stifling the players with your information
16:56and to get the best out of them.
16:58That's what we've tried to do.
17:00I know you've been asked a lot about taking the job on a permanent basis,
17:03but do you feel that, being Ireland and playing well,
17:06that you're a step closer to it?
17:08I feel like we're a step closer as a team.
17:11I try not to think about myself too much, if I'm being honest.
17:15It's almost insignificant whether it's an issue or not.
17:20The best person should get the job.
17:22It's an unbelievable job with a great group of players and potential.
17:26I know exactly what my role is over the next three camps,
17:31so I'm more than comfortable with that.
17:34Rob, can you pass back to Simon, please?
17:37There's a question to both.
17:39Obviously, we're going to be celebrating Harry's achievements tomorrow,
17:43but we're also going to mark the tribute to Sven.
17:46As a coach, can you just talk about him and his legacy?
17:51For Harry, as a fan, I guess growing up, your memories of Sven?
17:55Yeah, no.
17:57I think one of our, I'd say, most famous, most popular moments
18:04we've had as a national team, of course.
18:09It'll be a sad night for a lot of England fans and a lot of England players.
18:16It'll be a good tribute to him that he fully deserves.
18:22From what I understand, obviously I didn't get to meet him personally,
18:27but just a great person, really loyal to his players and his job.
18:36I think he'll go down as one of England's best managers.
18:41From our point of view, we just wish all his family and friends their condolences
18:46and we hope we can pay a good tribute tomorrow night.
18:49I was never lucky enough to meet him, to be honest.
18:53I played against his teams a few times.
18:56Obviously, speaking to Ashley, who played under him,
18:59what he speaks mostly about is what a great person he was.
19:03Obviously, he was a highly decorated coach as well.
19:06The period he had with England, with the generation of players that he worked with,
19:11everyone speaks about the atmosphere and how much they enjoyed playing for him.
19:16Like Harry says, hopefully we can pay a nice tribute to him
19:20and he'll be remembered fondly by everyone, I'm sure.
19:24We'll finish back with Rob Dawson.
19:27Lee, can I just ask you one more?
19:29You said ahead of the Dublin game, the Ireland game,
19:32that even in three days you'd found two or three different ways of playing.
19:36Can you tell us a bit more about that and what those styles are?
19:39And also, a quick one, is there anybody that because of loading
19:42can't play a full 90 minutes tomorrow?
19:44No, there's no-one that can't play a full 90.
19:47I think we've still got a responsibility, though,
19:49that we have to make sure that we're checking on their physical condition
19:53live during the game.
19:54We've got that data, so we can do that.
19:57In terms of the way that we're playing,
19:59it sometimes adjusts depending on what the team is and the individuals.
20:03So, with the different players in different positions,
20:07we have to adjust the team a little bit.
20:09It's just literally small details, but very simple
20:12and hopefully a little bit quicker to implement,
20:17given the amount of time that we've got.
20:19Generally, stuff like this year, you get a chance to work on
20:21for two or three weeks in pre-season and then try it in friendly games.
20:24But effectively, this is another pre-season game for us.
20:29John McDermott said that the first 45 minutes against Ireland
20:35was our best training session.
20:37When you think about it like that, I suppose he was definitely right.
20:42We expect so much, and again, this will be the first time
20:45this team has played together.
20:46Obviously, the players have played in three and fours together.
20:50So, we don't try and give them too much information,
20:53but just two or three concepts in different areas of the pitch
20:56that hopefully will be effective.
20:58Okay, we'll conclude it there. Thanks for your time.